Actually, I don't think he has to, either to be fair or to defend his point. The whole "elect JD" thing is based on the idea that McCain is the worst of the worst and if he loses the primary we'll still keep the seat for the GOP. Since JD's boosters act like he's a conservative white knight and the author's point is that JD is flawed rather than that McCain is good, McCain's record is largely irrelevant. If he had a rock solid conservative voting record we wouldn't be having this conversation.
“Actually, I don’t think he has to, either to be fair or to defend his point”
Of course he does.
His main point is that Hayworth should be opposed because of his voting record, and then gives a laundry list of reasons for it. The problem with that argument is that that same laundry list, if that’s a reason for someone’s vote, DOES NOT favor McCain either.
And additionally, one particular topic left off that list does favor Hayworth and does not favor McCain, and that’s the Kennedy-McCain-Bush immigration act.
So, if were counting on the condition of how empty is the gass, by the record Hayworth’s glass is less empty than McCain’s. Enough to give him the nod in he primary? Some belief it is - if the contest is only McCain-vs-Hayworth - and the author did not make a convincing argument otherwise.
Additionally, a populist “thrown the bums out” sentiment could weigh against incumbents in general. If the Dims pick a big-time party insider - which Hayworth is not - his image as an independent (I did say image) may make him more electable, in the general election than the establishment McCain.
Besides, in my view, it is simply time for McCain to go. I believe his time on the political stage has run it’s course.